Nsawam, July 19, GNA - Mrs Gladys Asmah, Minister of Women and Children's Affairs said the government has put in place some bold policy initiatives such as the gender and child policy documents, which would be placed before Cabinet to address some of the problems militating against the development of children.

The Ministry had also initiated a programme to address child trafficking, code named, "Operation bring the Children home" to encourage parents to stop the practice of giving up their children to strangers as house-helps.

Mrs Asmah made these known last Sunday at the 70th anniversary celebration of the Nsawam Circuit Women's Fellowship of the Methodist Church at the Wesleyan Chapel at Nsawam.

"Today, this nation is grappling with a myriad of problems including discrimination against the female gender, spousal violence, child-trafficking and abuses like rape and defilement.

"Our role as Christians is perhaps to work harder and to advocate a societal relationship that would be better and harmonious and it should begin with us," she added.

Mrs Asmah said the society was suffering from many vices such as indiscipline and the younger and succeeding generations were blamed but as Christians "we should consider what we can do to nurture the children into responsible adulthood with all the virtues acceptable to Christian faith."

The Very Rev. Christopher Nyarko Adam, the Superintendent Minister of the Nsawam Circuit of the Methodist Church advised the women to lead exemplary life in society for their wards to emulate them. He also encouraged the women to take their responsibilities as good mothers and seeing that their children grow as good and responsible leaders. Rev. Adam advised the congregation to be law abiding especially during the forthcoming presidential and parliamentary elections. The President of Nsawam Circuit Women's Fellowship of the Methodist Church, Felicia Annim on behalf of the group expressed appreciation to the Minister and pledged that they would abide by the pieces of advice. 19 July 04